ABSTRACT
Research has shown that physical activity (PA) is associated with overall successful aging (SA), but it is unknown whether PA promotes each SA component in similar ways. This cross-sectional population-based cohort study investigates SA in adults aged 60 years+ using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey ( N = 12,042). Multivariate comparisons showed that, compared to those who were PA, physical inactivity was a much stronger associate of functional limitations than either chronic disease or being socially unengaged with life. This effect was not found for moderately active participants. Findings reinforce that PA, even at moderate levels, is an efficient way of optimizing biopsychosocial health, particularly functional health, in later life.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Motor Activity , Sedentary Behavior , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Aged , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disability Evaluation , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Risk Factors , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
Rowe and Kahn (1987) proposed that successful aging is the balance of three components: absence of disease and disease-related disability, high functional capacity, and active engagement with life. This study examines the relationship between physical activity involvement and successful aging in Canadian older adults using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, cycle 2.1 (N = 12,042). Eleven percent of Canadian older adults were aging successfully, 77.6% were moderately successful, and 11.4% were unsuccessful according to Rowe and Kahn's criteria. Results indicate that physically active respondents were more than twice as likely to be rated as aging successfully, even after removing variance associated with demographic covariates. These findings provide valuable information for researchers and practitioners interested in age-specific interventions to improve older individuals' likelihood of aging successfully.
Subject(s)
Aging , Exercise , Motor Activity , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Canada , Cohort Studies , Confidence Intervals , Female , Health Behavior , Health Promotion , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Social MarketingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To examine relative age and birth place effects in hockey players drafted to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 2000 and 2005 and determine whether these factors influenced when players were chosen in the draft. METHODS: 1013 North American draftees were evaluated from the official NHL website, which provided birthplace, date of birth and selection order in the draft. Population size was collected from Canadian and American census information. Athletes were divided into four quartiles on the basis of selection date to define age cohorts in hockey. Data between the Canadian and American players were also compared to see if the optimal city sizes differed between the two nations. RESULTS: Relative age and birthplace effects were found, although the optimal city size found was dissimilar to that found in previous studies. Further, there were inconsistencies between the Canadian and American data. CONCLUSION: Contextual factors such as relative age and size of birthplace have a significant effect on likelihood of being selected in the NHL draft.
